Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Name a dish which is very common in every telugu household? Pappu (Dal). Of all the dals, Toor dal is more a staple food. Especially at my home, I make Dal twice a week no matter what I cook on side. There are a few varieties we can cook out of Toor dal. One is with tomato which is very simple and yummy.

Ingredients:

Toor dal- 1 cup

Green chillies (slit them length wise) - 4-5

Tomato- finely chopped- 1

Tamarind (Chintapandu)- 1/2 the size of lemon.

Turmeric -1/2 tsp

Dhaniya powder - 1/2 tsp

Salt- as per atste

For Tadka (Popu):

Jeera- 1/2 tsp

Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp

Red chillies -3-4

Hing- pinch

Garlic pods -2

Karvepaku (Curry leaves) 4-5

Cilantro -1/4th bunch

Take washed toor dal in a pressure cooker and add chopped chillies, tomato,turmeric and tamarind.

Add 4 cups of water and let it pressure cook for 5-6 whistles.

Once the pressure is gone, add salt and mix it well.

Let the dal cook on low flame.

In the mean while, do the tadka (popu) in a small pan.

Add oil to the small pan and when it is hot, add jeera, mustard seeds,red chillies(break each in to half), hing and thinly sliced garlic pods, curry leaves.

(Cutting Garlic pods- Instead of directly chopping, crush the pod using the knife blade by placing it flat over the pod and press it strongly with your hand. Then chop it finely)

Once the tadka becomes dark in color, add it to dal and garnish with washed and cut cilantro.

Who doesn't love chicken 65? When ever I eat it I don't stop.The next day I feel really guilty and plan to hit the gym. Why do you have to work so hard to eat the dish you like? This made me invent this Low calorie Chicken 65.